Christmas – not always merry

Christmas can be a very difficult time for children suffering abuse and neglect

Since the beginning of the first lockdown, the average number of contacts made to the NSPCC’s helpline about abuse escalated. The level of concern about emotional abuse, neglect, and physical abuse remains well above the pre-pandemic average. Figures show that the number of contacts from people concerned about child abuse is 43% higher than before the first lockdown.

Everyone’s expectations are high at Christmas which can be tough, with a huge amount of pressure to ‘have a good time’. But for many people, family relationships are fraught, distant and painful. The picture perfect images of happy families around the dinner table that we see everywhere in Christmas advertising and the media at this time of year are unrealistic. It can be hell for children who live in challenging circumstances around abusive adults. 

There is a darker side to the festive season that needs to be addressed. This is a time of year it’s difficult for schools to monitor childrens wellbeing.  December sees a spike in safeguarding issues and every year the NSPCC report increasing numbers of children phoning them for help because relationship tensions among families tend to come to a head over the Christmas break.